Modify or sell ?

[skull-candy18]

I'd like to improve the handling of my trx, its completely stock and while in good condition I'm finding its weaknesses. Mainly diving when braking and crashing over bumps and rough surfaces.

From what I've learnt from building my car, is that for all the money I spent on it I could have just gone out and bought something that performed well without faffing around.

So for those who have modified their bikes, looking back, would you do it again or just buy something that performed the way you wanted out the box.
After forks, shocks, fcrs and an exhaust your looking at £1500+ which is a substantial amount.

I must admit I've been looking at Triumph Daytona 675's.

[Yoozy]

Sounds like you've made your mind up. The Trumpers a whole different thing compared to the Trx, night and day. FWIW the yzf 750 job I've just done has really modernised the look and, more importantly the performance. Its much more assured and confidence inspiring now.

[handsomejackuk]

you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

keep it standard the way Mr. Yamaha intended it to be, and spend the money on a more upto date better handling bike... that way in 10 years time the TRX will be worth plenty cash and nice and rare... and you wont have to put it back to standard to get top dollar for it... as it will be factory fresh...

I.M.O.

OF COURSE

And save the TRX for those nice sunny Sunday afternoons...at yer local bike place.. and get more admired than the bloke that comes in on a 20,000 ducati.. or whatever the dearest bike of the moment is...

[bubbaad]

If you enjoy the tinkering and enjoy riding the bike go for it. You'll never get your money back but it ain't about that. The Daytona is a sweet looking bike

[Snod Blatter]

Cartridge emulators really help with the brake dive and lack of grip over rough surfaces, at least as far as I can tell in a few miles of testing. Personally I disagree with keeping it stock, the original suspension ruins the whole bike - improving it to the point where it at least fades into the background (though it still crashes a bit over large bumps and holes) can only be a good thing.

If you're not too far into the North of Notts you can try mine with emulators, see if it's enough of an improvement for you. I have to please the MOT man first though, he didn't like my warped discs!

[Stu99]

If you are chasing handling it is worth spending the money, as unless you are spending BIG dollars on a bike then most OEM suspension is a compromise at best.
And if you are much bigger or much smaller than average you will most likely have to spend a bit to optimise the suspension anyway.
I have put a custom tuned R1 front end and a custom tuned rebuilt rear TRX shock on mine and it really does transform the handling of the bike. Makes it a completely different bike to ride.

If you are chasing BIG power though, another bike is a simpler way.
You could do a 878 kit, FCR's and full system on the TRX, $$$$$$$$$$ and still not get the 126hp of the 675.

It depends if you are going to enjoy the journey of engine tinkering and tuning. Many here have.

My TRX handles like a dream and makes 83hp (carb mods only) but due to the improved suspension you can brake later, and get on it harder and early through a corner. So it feels like it's got a few extra ponies anyhow.
And the twisties are what the TRX is all about.

[Skybone]

My first question would be:

Have you drained the old oil out of the forks & replaced it with the correct amount of new oil?

Have you considered changing the fork oil for a slightly heavier weight oil (say a 15w instead of 10w)?

Have you considered getting progressive springs for the forks?

Have you checked the suspension settings and had a play with them? If you check in the Haynes manual, it gives you the "standard" suspension settings, set them to standard, go for a ride and assess things (too soft, too hard etc.), and if you need to adjust them, go from there.

If it's an old bike, the chances are that the fork oil won't have been changed for quite a while, especially if it's been sat in a showroom or someone's garage for a while. Oil degrades over time, so the chances are that it's nowehere near the spec and performance that it should be. A litre or 2 of new Fork Oil isn't too expensive, and the time it'll take you to do the job (half a day max) could be done on a wet day when you don't want to be out riding anyway will transform the way the bike feels.

You could also look at fitting a 120/70 17 front tyre, assuming yours has the standard 120/60 17 fitted. That should help the bike handle a lot better in the twisties, where the standard size tyre requires a lot more rider input for the same result (however, part of the fun of the TRX for me, is the fact that it does need a lot more in the way of rider input... you get out of it what you put in IMO).

If, after all this, it still feels like you're not getting on with the bike, then consider selling up. The 675 Daytona's a stonking bike (from what the reviews say, and what I know of Triumph's).

[skull-candy18]

I really do like my trx, I'm not a great rider but I've been able to go round corners better than I thought I could so imagine it with the suspension set up.
And it sounds cool

I shall try the oil and springs, the suspension is low mileage as it came off another bike but I'm not sure when the oil was last done and I plan on keeping the bike a full year anyway.

Snod Blatter that is a great offer thanks, I'll give you a pm when I'm next going near Leicester.

My only issue is time, I should be starting my PhD in September so I'm going to be so busy I don't think I will have time to do the work myself, and paying some one will just make the costs really outweigh the bike.

[coxylaad]

if you are feeling bad about spending some money on the TRX just consider what you will lose in annual depreciation on a newer bike.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Look at it this way.. Do you want to spend time and money for a PHD in TRX or get a trade in the art of Trx or just do a basic cert.3 or stick with your primary teachings of just buy n ride...???? What do want out of the bike and what do you want out of it??? Your first year you can easily upgrade the std forks with emulators/springs and cheap n simple R6 rear shock mod BLUESPOTS brakes and all for around $700 if you just shop around a little. A number of people on the forum have pointed others in the right direction to get the best deals . One tooth down on the front cog to give you that little more drive out of the corners and you'll be surprised at these few simple upgrade over that first 12 mths. This would educate you enough in the first 12 mths on if this is really for you

[alextrx850]

Look at it this way.. Do you want to spend time and money for a PHD in TRX or get a trade in the art of Trx or just do a basic cert.3 or stick with your primary teachings of just buy n ride...???? What do want out of the bike and what do you want out of it??? Your first year you can easily upgrade the std forks with emulators/springs and cheap n simple R6 rear shock mod BLUESPOTS brakes and all for around $700 if you just shop around a little. A number of people on the forum have pointed others in the right direction to get the best deals . One tooth down on the front cog to give you that little more drive out of the corners and you'll be surprised at these few simple upgrade over that first 12 mths. This would educate you enough in the first 12 mths on if this is really for you

As you say Brian, anyone can have a bank balance and buy off the shelf......its what you want and can build for yourself...thats the fun of a TRX.
[posting from the Philippines]

[QuickDraw]

...for a PHD in TRX...

A very worthwhile thesis indeed Professor 'Rex!!:lol:

[Con Rod]

Just buy a YZF750 and put the front end on the trx. Sell the rest for parts and in the end you may actually make a few quid. Handling improvement is night and day compared to stock. Having gone down the progressive spring and the emulator path my advice to anyone would be just go the whole hog and get YZF forks